Reno mayoral candidate Tony Perri dies at 48

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Ex-wife Tara Sawyer described the late Reno mayoral candidate Tony Perri as a "good father" and a "great friend."

"He would have given his shirt off his back to help anybody," she said.

2:45 p.m. update: Reno police have confirmed that the death of Reno mayoral candidate Tony Perri does not appear to be suspicious.

Lt. William Rulla said police responded to a call for a welfare check at Perri's apartment at 9:30 p.m. Monday.

"Upon initial investigation, there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr. Perry's death," Rulla said. "As per protocol, the Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office was summoned. Next of kin notifications have been made and our agency is awaiting a final medical report from the ME's office, including a toxicology report."

Perri's legal name is Anthony Perry, however, he wanted to appear on the ballot as Tony Perri.

Rulla confirmed that it appears Perri was dead for some time before his body was discovered. A friend said he was last seen on April 3.

Under state law, a candidate would have to die before 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday in April before the primary election in order for the name to be removed from the ballot.

Perri was found dead in his apartment on Lake Street on Monday, said his friend Dave Paiva.

Police continue to investigate Perri's death and the coroner is awaiting autopsy results.

Paiva said Perri has long suffered from up and down bouts of mania and depression. Perri admitted to a prior cocaine addiction, but said he had been sober for a decade.

Paiva said Perri was last seen by a mutual friend on April 3. He may have died well before his body was found, he said.

"Tony didn't expect to become mayor, but he wanted to have an impact on the community," Paiva said. "He was feeling good about himself. With Tony, it's crash or celebrate. He was always way up there or way down there."

While Perri's name will be on the June 10 ballot, the registrar will post a sign at polling locations informing voters of his death. In the unlikely event that he wins the primary, the name of the next highest vote-getter will take his place on the general election ballot.

Wednesday morning update: Reno mayoral candidate Tony Perri died Monday. The cause of death is pending.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed Perri's death this morning, but could provide no other details as they await the results of his autopsy.

Perri was one of 20 people who filed to run for Reno mayor. His death brings the field to 18. Eric Fromelius dropped out of the race last month.

Perri launched a once successful backstage pass printing business, but admitted he ran the company into the ground. He said he struggled with a cocaine addiction, but had been sober for a decade.